Looking on the Bright Side

Philippians 4:8 (NIV): Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Do you tend to view the world in a positive or negative light? Paul understood that we get into a groove in our way of thinking. We are creatures of habit. Some see the glass half full, others, half empty. Paul was writing to the Christians in Philippi from a prison cell in Rome. He could have lamented how badly he was being treated and how unfair it was that he had been sent to prison for doing nothing more than spreading the Gospel. Instead, he tells the church to be joyful in all things and that he has found the secret to contentment no matter where he is. He tells them there is nothing better than knowing Christ. He tells them not to worry, but to pray about everything and not to forget to be thankful.

Then he writes this remarkable verse. He lists specific things to focus on as we shape our world view. This doesn't mean we look at the world through “rose colored glasses”, meaning we see only good. There is plenty of evil and we must fight against it. But it means we spend our thoughts on good and positive things as much as possible.

If we spend our time watching filthy movies, reading filthy books and magazines, listening to filthy music, or viewing filth on the Internet, we will soon have a filthy mind. If we surround ourselves with people who tell dirty jokes and see the world in an ungodly way, we may soon find ourselves sharing their world view. If we watch television shows that continually put down Christians, that will begin to erode our faith. Frankly, if we spend too much time watching the news we will become depressed.

I'm not suggesting we throw out our televisions and abandon our friends, but I am saying we have to make the effort to fill our minds with things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. Look at that list again. Isn't that the world you want to live in? We have to look for it to find it, but it is there if we will try. Fill your mind with goodness. Concentrate on these things. If we do, we will find ourselves more Godly and more full of joy than we ever thought possible.